Chapter II
Mr. Teddy Henfrey’s First Impressions
At four o’clock, Teddy Henfrey, the clock-jobber, came into the bar.
“Oh, Mrs. Hall,” said he, “this is terrible weather for thin boots!”
The snow outside was falling faster.
Mrs. Hall agreed, and then noticed he had his bag with him.
“Now you’re here, Mr. Henfrey,” said she, “I’d be glad if you have a look at the old clock in the parlour.”
And leading the way, she went across to the parlour door and rapped and entered.
Her visitor, she saw as she opened the door, was seated in the armchair before the fire, with his bandaged head drooping on one side. The only light in the room was the red glow from the fire-which lit his eyes like adverse railway signals, but left his face in darkness. She had lit the bar lamp, and her eyes were dazzled. But for a second it seemed to her that the man she looked at had an enormous mouth wide open-a vast and incredible mouth. It was the sensation of a moment: the white-bound head, the monstrous eyes, and this huge mouth below it. Then he stirred, started up in his chair. She opened the door wide, so that the room was lighter, and she saw him more clearly. The shadows, she thought, had tricked her.
“Would you mind, sir? This man is going to look at the clock,” she said, recovering from the momentary shock.
“Look at the clock?” he said, staring round in a drowsy manner, and then, getting more fully awake, “certainly.”
Mrs. Hall went away to get a lamp, and he rose and stretched himself. Then Mr. Teddy Henfrey, entering, was confronted by this bandaged person.
“Good afternoon,” said the stranger, regarding him-as Mr. Henfrey says-”like a lobster.”
“I hope,” said Mr. Henfrey, “I won’t disturb you.”
“Not at all,” said the stranger. “Though, I understand,” he said turning to Mrs. Hall, “that this room is really to be mine for my own private use.”
“I thought, sir,” said Mrs. Hall, “you’d prefer the clock-”
“Certainly,” said the stranger, “certainly-but, as a rule, I like to be alone and undisturbed. But I’m really glad to have the clock,” he said, seeing a certain hesitation in Mr. Henfrey’s manner. “Very glad.”
Mr. Henfrey had intended to apologise and withdraw, but this anticipation reassured him. The stranger turned round with his back to the fireplace and put his hands behind his back.